what is the difference betwween NTFS and FAT,I am running on windows xp?

Question

which is better and can it be changed?

Answer 1

NTFS is better because it supports data compression, it handles files with larger size and it's more secure... You can convert from Fat to NTFS without losing any data. The conversion is irreversible, meaning you can't convert back to Fat unless you format the partition. To do this open command prompt and type this:
convert drive_letter /fs:ntfs
for example if you want C to be converted to ntfs this is how you must write it:
convert C: /fs:ntfs

Answer 2

Following article makes you more clear...!


FAT32 or NTFS

Choosing the file system to use on a Windows XP system is seldom easy, and frequently it's not just a one time decision.. Different factors can blur the decision process, and some tradeoffs are more than likely. No matter what method you choose to adopt Windows XP, you will have to face the FAT32 versus NTFS decision. Clean and upgrade installs both require you to address the situation early on in the process. Later on, if you add a drive or repartition an existing drive the decision process faces you yet again. Circumstances may dictate the choice for you, but in most cases the options have to be weighed and the tradeoffs of using each method analyzed. Let's look at the available choices.

File System Choices
Most articles discussing file system choices look at FAT32 and NTFS as the two available choices. In reality, there are three systems which could be selected. FAT, FAT32, and NTFS. Granted, FAT32 and NTFS are the primary choices, but on occasion you'll still find the need for a FAT volume. A FAT volume has a maximum size of 2GB and supports MS-DOS as well as being used for some dual boot configurations, but backward compatibility is about the only reason I can think of that FAT should ever be used, other than for the occasional floppy diskette. That said, let's move on to FAT32 and NTFS.

Which File System to Choose?
As much as everyone would like for there to be a stock answer to the selection question, there isn't. Different situations and needs will play a large role in the decision of which file system to adopt. There isn't any argument that NTFS offers better security and reliability. Some also say that NTFS is more flexible, but that can get rather subjective depending on the situation and work habits, whereas NTFS superiority in security and reliability is seldom challenged. Listed below are some of the most common factors to consider when deciding between FAT32 and NTFS.

Security
FAT32 provides very little security. A user with access to a drive using FAT32 has access to the files on that drive.

NTFS allows the use of NTFS Permissions. It's much more difficult to implement, but folder and file access can be controlled individually, down to an an extreme degree if necessary. The down side of using NTFS Permissions is the chance for error and screwing up the system is greatly magnified.

Windows XP Professional supports file encryption.


Compatibility
NTFS volumes are not recognized by Windows 95/98/Me. This is only a concern when the system is set up for dual or multi-booting. FAT32 must be be used for any drives that must be accessed when the computer is booted from Windows 95/98 or Windows Me.

An additional note to the previous statement. Users on the network have access to shared folders no matter what disk format is being used or what version of Windows is installed.

FAT and FAT32 volumes can be converted to NTFS volumes. NTFS cannot be converted to FAT32 without reformatting.


Space Efficiency
NTFS supports disk quotas, allowing you to control the amount of disk usage on a per user basis.

NTFS supports file compression. FAT32 does not.

How a volume manages data is outside the scope of this article, but once you pass the 8GB partition size, NTFS handles space management much more efficiently than FAT32. Cluster sizes play an important part in how much disk space is wasted storing files. NTFS provides smaller cluster sizes and less disk space waste than FAT32.

In Windows XP, the maximum partition size that can be created using FAT32 is 32GB. This increases to 16TB (terabytes) using NTFS. There is a workaround for the 32GB limitation under FAT32, but it is a nuisance especially considering the size of drives currently being manufactured.


Reliability
FAT32 drives are much more susceptible to disk errors.

NTFS volumes have the ability to recover from errors more readily than similar FAT32 volumes.

Log files are created under NTFS which can be used for automatic file system repairs.

NTFS supports dynamic cluster remapping for bad sectors and prevent them from being used in the future.

The Final Choice
As the prior versions of Windows continue to age and are replaced in the home and workplace there will be no need for the older file systems. Hard drives aren't going to get smaller, networks are likely to get larger and more complex, and security is evolving almost daily as more and more users become connected. For all the innovations that Windows 95 brought to the desktop, it's now a virtual dinosaur. Windows 98 is fast on the way out and that leaves NT and Windows 2000, both well suited to NTFS. To wrap up, there may be compelling reasons why your current situation requires a file system other than NTFS or a combination of different systems for compatibility, but if at all possible go with NTFS. Even if you don't utilize its full scope of features, the stability and reliability it offers make it the hands down choice.

Answer 3

NTFS and FAT32 are filesystems supported by Windows XP.

NTFS is newer and considered better, but it is not supported by some versions of Windows such as Windows 98 and Windows ME. It is, however, supported by Windows 2000.

Unlike FAT32, NTFS is a journaling filesystem. This means that the OS keeps tracks of the most recent writes to the filesystem, and can easily recover from an improper shutdown of the PC. After a sudden power outage, a PC with FAT32 will have to conduct a complete disk scan to check for filesystem corruption. NTFS systems only need to check the journal to see if the most recent writes were successful.

NTFS is also more robust and less prone to filesystem crashes.

When to use FAT32:
Although NTFS is certainly better than FAT32, you may want to use the older filesystem if -
1. You multiboot with operating systems like Win 98 or Win ME
2. You multiboot with Linux-based operating systems, since NTFS write-support in Linux is incomplete

Converting to NTFS from FAT32:
You can convert from FAT32 to NTFS easily (without formatting your drive) by using XP's "convert" command.

For example, to convert C: to NTFS, issue this command -
convert C: /fs:ntfs

*Remember to backup important data before doing this*

Converting to FAT32 from NTFS:
Unfortunately, you cannot convert from NTFS to FAT32 without reformatting the drive.

Answer 4

Vista, no. yet XP is in all risk a "specific"...I even have an old Sony VAIO C1 which had VERY low specs and grew to become into designed for ME, yet I loaded XP on it and it grew to become into certainly speedier! XP does make some advancements. the reality that this is qualified for ME is slightly nebulous - what concerns are the truly gadget specs. verify my link. once you're extra advantageous than those standards you're stable to pass! EDIT: the two structures I run it on are as follows. One is a Dell with a P3-667 Celeron. It has 128mb RAM, 8MB video memory and a 10GB confusingcontinual. this is totally usable. the different is a Sony C1 with a 20GB confusingcontinual, 800mhz Crusoe processor and 256mb of RAM - 8MB purely for the video as nicely. the persons who say you want lots extra are incorrect. this is totally usable like that, do purely not run too many courses at as quickly as. I shop them the two stripped down.

Answer 5

some wrong in above.
Try with NTFS in XP

Answer 6

If you click on this link http://www.geekinterview.com/question_details/25319 different people have added their comments etc.

NTFS

1)allows access local to w2k,w2k3,XP,win NT4 with SP4 & later may get access for somefile.

2)Maximum size of partition is 2 Terabytes & more.

3)Maximum File size is upto 16TB.

4)File & folder Encryption is possible only in NTFS.

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FAT 32

1)Fat 32 Allows access to win 95,98,win millenium,win2k,xp on local partition.

2)Maximum size of partition is upto 2 TB.

3)Maximum File size is upto 4 GB.

4)File & folder Encryption is not possible.